NHL Rumours: Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals
It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. Some series have already been decided and that means questions about the uncertain future of teams will come to a head. There are a number of unrestricted free agents that could move on. However, these free agents have been fixtures for their respective teams for a number of seasons. Today’s edition of NHL rumours focuses on the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Tampa Bay Lightning
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman was on the Jeff Marek Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan to discuss the future of pending unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos with the Lightning.
Analysis: Stamkos took a good long look before departing the ice after Tampa Bay was eliminated by the Florida Panthers. This long look opened up a lot of questions about the future. However, nothing is set in stone as of yet.
The Lightning captain is set to become a UFA on July 1, but it would be odd to see him in a different sweater. Stamkos was one of the team’s best players in the team’s five-game Stanley Cup Playoff stint. The Markham, Ontario native has only played for Tampa Bay, but there’s plenty of speculation that he will move on.
General manager Julien BriseBois holds the pen and is likely going to get together with Stamkos to decide a course of action. BriseBois has to keep in mind that Brandon Hagel‘s extension kicks in and deals for players like Anthony Duclair are coming up.
Friedman believes that Stamkos may receive a deal below market value. However, it’s on Stamkos to see if the deal is good enough. Does Stamkos give the team a hometown discount? It’s possible that Tampa Bay’s captain could do that. However, other teams might be able to give Stamkos the deal he wants. Let’s keep in mind that Utah is going to be a player in free agency. Ryan Smith said he wants to be a player. Could landing Stamkos be a franchise-altering move to put them on the map?
Washington Capitals
Rumour: Capitals reporters Sammi Silber and Stephen Whyno each speculated on the future of T.J. Oshie with the club. Oshie is a pending UFA this coming off-season.
Analysis: Silber mentioned that Oshie wants to make sure that is back is ready to go for the grind of the 82-game season. Oshie said that he would love to play next season. The Mount Vernon, Wash. native will be 38 in December and has another year left on his contract. Oshie’s salary cap hit is $5.75 million and he has a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams.
Whyno followed up with that Oshie wants to have a good quality of life in his post-hockey career. The veteran winger said that he wants to be able pick up his children and enjoy his family when his playing days are over.
General manager Brian MacLellan said that he and the organization will support Oshie’s decision whatever it is. MacLellan added that the team will find a solution to accommodate Oshie if he wants to play. The experienced winger has played less than 60 games in every year since the 2020-21 season. Injuries have taken their toll on the American player, but he was still a help in the leadership department for the club.
Washington made the post-season despite being somewhat of a seller at the trade deadline. However, there are still plenty of questions surrounding the team. Oshie’s uncertain status is another thing MacLellan will have to deal with this coming off-season.
